South Africa’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign has been rocked after FIFA confirmed sanctions for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho.
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee ruled that midfielder Teboho Mokoena should not have featured in the March 21 clash in Johannesburg after picking up two earlier yellow cards.
Despite the suspension, he played in Bafana Bafana’s 2-1 victory.
FIFA has now handed the match to Lesotho with a 3-0 scoreline.
South Africa drop three vital points and three goals, a blow that throws Group C wide open.
The ruling also fined the South African Football Association (SAFA) CHF 10,000, while Mokoena escaped with a formal warning.
SAFA and the player were notified on Monday.
They have ten days to request a detailed decision or file an appeal to the FIFA Appeal Committee.
The punishment cuts South Africa’s tally to 14 points, level with Benin but ahead only on goal difference (+6 to +4).
Nigeria and Rwanda remain on 11 points, three behind the joint leaders.
The group picture is now dramatically tighter. Hugo Broos’ men must beat Zimbabwe away and Rwanda at home in their final fixtures to secure a direct ticket to the 2026 World Cup in North America.
The case mirrors that of Equatorial Guinea, who lost points earlier in the qualifiers when FIFA deemed Emilio Nsue ineligible. That ruling was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
South Africa now face the same high-stakes road: fight back on the pitch or risk missing football’s biggest stage.
